LET'S TALK ABOUT IDIOMS

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1.What is an idiom?

An idiom is a phrase which has a different meaning from the meaning of its components.For example, when we say :"It's raining cats and dogs", we do not mean that cats  and dogs are falling from the sky.This amusing expression  means that it is raining heavily.Idioms are basically fixed expressions, which means  you cannot change the word order, or the grammatical forms in the same way as you  can change non-idiomatic expressions.

2. Where can you find idioms?

Idioms can be found in every language. They form an essential part of the general vocabulary of English.

3. Are idioms colloquial expressions?

Not exclusively for they  can appear in formal style, in slang, in poetry or in the language of Shakespeare and the Bible.Even if you are more  likely to find idioms in the tabloids or in  the popular press, you will certainly find a lot of them in quality newspapers, too.

4. What is the difference betwen an idiom, a proverb , a saying and a cliche?

Idioms are not proverbs. A proverb is "a short well-known sentence that states a general truth about life and gives advice" (Advanced Learner's Dictionary) A proverb can be used idiomatically, but many proverbs can be understood literally. For example:"Like father like son" , or again :"Nobody's perfect".

A saying is "a well-known phrase, expression or a proverb". All proverbs are sayings but idioms are neither proverbs nor  sayings.

A cliche is "a phrase which is used so often that it is no longer interesting, effective or relevant." (ALD). Although many idioms have become old-fashioned, they still have some relevance and we often find them interesting, so they are not cliches.

5. Can we guess the meaning of idioms?

The words which are used may offer some clues, but usually the meaning  is totally different, which is why idioms are considered so tricky for students who are not native speakers.

LEARNING TIPS

There is no easy way to learn idioms. Every student at advanced level should have a dictionary of idioms , for example, The Longman Dictionary of English Idioms. A good learning practice consists in  grouping idioms according to topics in order to make them easier to learn. Here is an example of how we can group idioms according to categories. Compare French or other languages.

ANIMAL IDIOMS

2. "To let the cat out of the bag" (vendre la mèche)

3. "She is spry as a chicken" (pleine d'entrain)

4. "I'll be a monkey's uncle" (ça alors!)

5. "to smell a rat" (avoir la puce à l'oreille)

etc.

MONEY IDIOMS

2."to break even" (rentrer dans ses fonds)

3."up to the ears in debt"(endetté jusqu'au cou)

4."to jack up the prices" (faire monter les prix)

5. "to chip in" (participer financièrement eg au restaurant)

etc.

FOOD IDIOMS

2."To blow a raspberry" (faire pfft!)

3."To have a chip on one’s shoulder" (en vouloir à tout le monde)

4. "small beer" (de l'anisette, un jeu d'enfant, ça ne compte pas)

5. "to cook the books" (truquer, maquiller les comptes)

etc.

OTHER CATEGORIES

CLOTHES IDIOMS

COLOUR IDIOMS

TIME IDIOMS

SLEEP IDIOMS

WEATHER IDIOMS

etc.

LANGUAGE ISSUES

Idioms tend to be culturally bound .In every language, native speakers tend to naturally associate certain words together.In English, a person can be said to be  " as strong as an ox" whereas in Holland they say "as strong as a bear". Is a bear stronger than  an ox ?  What about the Turk, then? According to the French, a Turk is certainly stronger than an ox or a bear! Hmm..., let's talk turkey (another animal idiom whose meaning is  "let's talk plainly and honestly", especially about practical matters) : the question is whether you can make different words mean the same.